KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 —- Dr Jemilah Mahmood, the Prime Minister’s special advisor on public health, has suggested imposing a lockdown during the upcoming Hari Raya as a preventive measure against Covid-19.
Citing the rise in coronavirus cases in Germany and South Korea, she also pointed out in her Twitter post this morning, how communal gatherings during this period such as the breaking of fast have become deadly.
Both countries are currently experiencing upsurges in new cases despite successfully managing the epidemic and ensuring the protection of different vulnerable populations, such as the elderly.
Last Saturday, an iftar (breaking of fast) gathering in Bahrain ended up with 16 family members being infected from one sick relative. According to the Gulf News, the latter infected all family members present at the breaking of fast which included the parents, siblings and several children.
Dr. Jemilah also suggested a lockdown for the upcoming holiday as a measure to both prevent the spread of the virus and protect the progress made so far.
